39. Matt Moore

Few young pitchers in Tampa Bay history generated as much anticipation as Matt Moore. Drafted out of a New Mexico high school in the eighth round of the 2007 amateur draft, he spent years in the minors before becoming baseball’s top pitching prospect.

When the front office finally called him up in September 2011, his regular-season debut was limited to a quick, three-game stint. Nonetheless, his dynamic, high-velocity pitching made such a strong impression that manager Joe Maddon boldly included the rookie on the postseason roster. This pivotal decision made Moore a lasting part of October history, as he was entrusted with Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the formidable Texas Rangers. Moore appeared completely unfazed by the spotlight, tossing seven scoreless, two-hit innings to secure a historic playoff win and bolster the belief that a future multiple Cy Young winner had arrived.

With considerable hype trailing him, Moore entered the regular starting rotation in 2012. He adjusted to a full season’s workload, finishing with an 11–11 record in 31 starts. This solid foundation paved the way for a spectacular breakout season in 2013. Everything aligned for the young left-hander as he dominated the American League, going 17–4 with a 3.29 ERA. His impressive performance, aided by a fiery four-seamer and a lethal changeup, earned him his only career All-Star selection and a ninth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting.

Just as he appeared ready to secure a steady spot in the rotation, his progress was halted by the demands of modern power pitching. After only two starts in 2014, a severe elbow injury necessitated Tommy John surgery. His difficult recovery kept him out for over a year, effectively ending that season and much of 2015. When he returned, his usual velocity and pinpoint control were noticeably diminished, as he struggled to regain the consistency that once made him unhittable.

Recognizing the need to restock the roster and maximize Moore’s remaining market value, the front office traded him to the San Francisco Giants before the August 2016 deadline for Matt Duffy and prospects. Moore made 96 appearances, with a 39–28 record, 3.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 540 innings, and 494 strikeouts.